Dumbledore looked around at all of this year's Hogwarts teachers. He knew that the news he was going to be giving them would be neither welcomed nor appreciated. After the war there was a great increase in orphaned children and since ninety percent of these children were at least part magical-creature the ministries were having a great deal of trouble placing them in homes. But after a long discussion with the new ministry of magic Arthur Weasley; they had decided that students fifth year and older would be given the option to adopt some of these children. Those who did would of course be helped both financially and scholarly. Professors would take into consideration the demands of raising a child.
"Albus! Have you been listing to a word I've said all night?" Albus looked up into Minerva's eyes and smiled sheepishly. He of course had not been listing.
"Forgive me Minerva, an old mans mind wanders so." Albus realized seconds after speaking how great a mistake that was.
"Yes I know Albus, for your mind must have wandered for you to think that any student is ready to take on the responsibility of parenthood. These children just got out of a war, they need to live with whatever childhood they have left, not begin to take care of a child themselves. What were you thinking making that statement this morning, and without even discussing it with the rest of us? Did you even think how this would affect their schooling? How are they supposed to study and worry about classes with a toddler tugging on their coat? No absolutely not, I won't have it." McGonagal looked Albus right in the eyes.
"Please everyone, sit down. Let me explain why I have decided to offer this." All the teachers looked at each other before nodding and slowly slipping into their seats. "These students will never be children again, they loss that innocence years ago, some were born without it. Have any of you truly looked at are student? Most are hanging on by a thread. Every one of them has lost at least one person they loved or cared for, some have lost complete families. Those who choose to take a baby into their life I believe do it because they need this as much as the children they will be taking in. Minerva think about it, what better way then to heal some of these wounds but by the sweet laughter of a child. They need each other, and if we can't find these children homes, or we can't fix the broken spirits of the children in this school we will have a whole knew war on are hands."
"Albus is right. I have taken too many of my Slytherin's up to the hospital-wing for attempted suicide. Even you Minerva know the truth in this, how many of your Gryffindor have you found in the bathrooms, or hallways? How many times have the alarms connected to your students gone off because they've hurt themselves? We have to try something and though I don't think this is the best idea, it is the only one we have. Give them something to stress over, to care for, and to care for them." Everyone looked stunned at Severus. No one had expected him to agree with this whole idea.
"The fastest healing is that of a child's smile." Lupin stated a small smile tugging his own face.
"Then it is settled. Let's see who signed up for the task first; then we will decide on how to go about all this. There won't be much of a problem if less than ten students wish to participate, but we will have a great deal of work to do if more than a hundred decided." All the teachers nodded and quickly vacated the office room. They knew when they were dismissed, and they all had much to think about. In addition the head of houses' figured they should go and answer any questions their students had. They didn't want any of them to make unwise or rash decisions.